Author Interview and a Giveaway: Kaitlin Covel & Atoning For Ashes

Hi Kaitlin, welcome to Radiant Light. It’s nice to have you here.

Kaitlin: Thank you, Andi! It is great to be here!

Let’s break the ice with some fun get to know you questions.

Me: Mountains or beach?

Kaitlin: Mountains are beautiful, but I’m a beach girl 100%!

Me: I'm right there with you! I was born in California, and as a Navy brat, former Navy wife I lived in more beach states than any other.

Me: Novella or long novel?

Kaitlin: I’ll take a nice long novel any day! The longer the better!

Me: I love a novella for a quick read, but long novels are the best!

Me: Hymns or Choruses?

Kaitlin: Hymns. I’m an old-fashioned girl in more ways than one. My favorite hymn is Be Thou My Vision.

Me: I like both. My favorite hymn would be A Mighty Fortress.

Me: E-book or physical copy?

Kaitlin: If I had a reading preference, I would prefer paperback, but I have to admit: I love the convenience of downloading e-books!

Me: I am the same way. I also like the ease of searching for something instead of flipping through all the pages if I didn't flag it.

Me: Do you have a favored genre, author, or series?

Kaitlin: My favored genre is Historical Fiction. That hasn’t changed ever since I was a little girl and discovered that history fascinated me!

Me: I'm a Historical Fiction fan as well.

Me: What inspired you to write?

My love of words I suppose. Words have been musical to my ears for as long as I can remember!

Me: I love that!

Me: What is your writing Kryptonite?

Noise! Sounds really distract me so I listen to instrumental music when I write to drown out unwanted noise.

Me: I understand that one!

Me: What defines literary success to you?

The definition of literary success to me is when the author reaches their audience with the message they had in mind while also delivering a captivating story with a sound plot, strong characters, and a believable setting. Charles Dickens is an excellent example of this in my opinion!

Me: That's beautiful and so true! As a reader it is those things that draw me to books, especially Christian fiction and make me continue to read.

Me: How realistic is your upcoming release, Atoning for Ashes? And what inspired you to write it?

Kaitlin: I’m a realist by nature, but I’m also an old-fashioned romantic. I love happy endings, but to me a happy ending is all the richer if the characters face some hardship first. In my opinion, Atoning for Ashes is realistic perhaps with the exception of the happy ending because I know those don’t always occur in real life. What inspired me to write it was imagining how the commonplace “marriage-of-convenience” story would end up if the man and woman actually fell in love.

Me: What book or books were your favorite growing up?

Kaitlin: Many classics including: the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley, All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyn Keene, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin, Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune, Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Weiss, all books by Thornton Burgess, and many others. As you can tell, I loved books with animal characters when I was growing up!

Me: Those are some great books! 

Me: Which author would you consider a mentor? And how have they mentored you?

I’ve met many authors who have truly been a blessing, but I would consider Laura Frantz to be a mentor as well as a dear author friend. She endorsed my debut novel, she has provided valuable advice and insight, and she has been so supportive and encouraging throughout the launching process of Atoning for Ashes!

Me: Laura is a special lady and friend. I have enjoyed reading all of her books. I do think she mentioned your book to me before you contacted me on Twitter. 

Me: What would you like to tell us about your upcoming release, Atoning for Ashes?

Atoning for Ashes releases on February 14^th, 2019. I’m hosting a launch party at 6 PM EST on my Facebook author page: @AuthorKaitlinCovel. You are most welcome to join me! 

I am so grateful to Kaitlin for stopping by today and she has offered a signed paperback copy of Atoning for Ashes to one of my readers!!!!

Here's a little more about Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Covel has a thirst for adventure much like the heroines of her stories. She is an old-fashioned romantic, and if she could time travel to any historical period, it would be the Regency Era. Here in the 21st century, she is a certified Nutritional Therapy Technician, but writing is her passion, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. Her debut novel, Atoning for Ashes, releases on February 14^th, 2019 from Deep River Books. She has honed her craft since childhood, benefiting from the insights of other writers through professional writing associations such as the Jerry Jenkins Writer’s Guild and Hope*writers. She lives with her family in Maine, where she enjoys teaching the teen Sunday school class at her church. Her favorite things are family, books, history, chocolate, music, the ocean, and strong cups of tea. 

You can connect with Kaitlin on these platforms:

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Pinterest ||

Book Blurb:

Josie Chadwick dreams of marrying for love in Cornwall, England, but with her father’s debt threatening to destroy all she holds dear, her romantic options are dwindling. When her elder sister Delia is disowned, Josie finds herself heiress of Chadwick Park, torn between dreams and duty. After sacrificing her heart to atone for Delia’s sin, Josie clings to the hope she will learn to love a distant husband, whom she fears is incapable of requiting her affection.

Charles Radcliffe’s heart has been scarred and hardened by rejection. He fears hurting his new bride, but his fears of betrayal and rejection are stronger, making it impossible for him to trust her love—let alone the love of her God.

As Josie and Charles face their new life together, ominous events warn of dark family secrets that could shatter them both. More than a loveless marriage is at stake if they cannot stand as one. Haunted by a nameless fear and faced with lies, they must learn to trust God and each other before it’s too late. Will they turn to God for answers as He redeems their past and restores their future?

The giveaway is opened to all U.S. residents.

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